For more than three decades, my mid-April chores were almost always the same.
File taxes on April 15. Cover a spring football game a couple of days later.
The task continues. Last Wednesday, taxes were filed. On Saturday, Texas A&M hosts its annual Maroon & White game at Kyle Field. Kickoff has been moved up to 11 a.m. due to inclement weather in the afternoon forecast.
A traditional game with standard scoring will be played.
Running backs coach Trooper Taylor leads the Maroon Team, which features running back Rueben Owens II and receivers Ashton Bethel-Roman and Isaiah Horton.
Defensive line coach Elijah Robinson leads the White Team, which features quarterback Marcel Reed and receiver Mario Craver.
Admission is free.
Frankly, over the last 30-plus years, I’m not sure if I dreaded the taxes or the spring game more.
At least value is seen in some of the taxes — military, education, Medicare, etc.
By comparison, it's often difficult to ascertain what’s real and what’s an illusion in spring football games.
The “stars” of spring often were irrelevant in autumn. Was there a productive ground game or a vulnerable run defense? Was there a strong pass rush or poor protection? Did the quarterback excel because there is no threat of contact?
Such questions raised doubts about the importance of a spring game. Some programs — like Ole Miss last year — have canceled them. Are they worth the threat of a key injury?
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko sees value in the spring game.
Indeed, there’s arguably more value in them now because of the continued and expanded use of the transfer portal.
Because rosters change so much from year to year, teams may need more opportunities to develop cohesion and evaluate players.
Also, the spring game provides an opportunity to see if some of the transfers can help the Aggies solve some problems from a year ago.
Last season, the Aggies’ linebackers struggled with missed fits that resulted in opponents breaking off long runs. A&M didn’t have big receivers, so they struggled on 50/50 passes. Aggie defensive backs managed just one interception.
So, look to see if linebacker transfer Ray Coney fills holes. Perhaps 6-foot-4 Horton, a transfer from Alabama, will outjump a defender on a 50/50 ball. Maybe safety transfer Tawfiq Byard will get an interception.
But is a pick a cause for celebration from the A&M secondary, or a cause for concern for Reed?
In the spring, you can never really be sure.
